Munster Minor Hurling: Three changes for Cork as they face Tipperary in final group game
Waterford's Caoilinn Reville about to strike as Cork's Ruairc O'Donovan looks to hook during their Munster Minor hurling match at Pairc Ui Rinn last time out. Picture: Sean Byrne
Fergal McCormack has made three changes to the Cork minor hurling team that will face Tipperary in their Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Round 5 fixture on Friday, May 2 at Páirc Uí Rinn (7pm).
Seán Coughlan, Sam Ring and Tom O’Flynn – younger brother of Cork U20 Barry O’Flynn – all come in for their first championship starts as the Rebels head into this one having already secured a place in the Munster final.
The trio replace Denis Fitzgerald, Ryan Dineen and Callum Coffey, with Fitzgerald the only one of the three omitted from the bench.
Three wins from three so far means this clash with Tipperary is effectively a dead rubber contest, while the winners of Waterford and Clare are set to face Cork in the final.
That fixture also takes place on Friday night, at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field Dungarvan.
With a slightly better scoring difference, a draw would also be enough to send Waterford through the Munster final with Cork.
With Seán Coughlan and Sam Ring named as the two corner-forwards, Craig O’Sullivan has been moved out to wing-forward while Ballinhassig’s Eoghan O’Shea picks up the no. 14 jersey.
O’Flynn, who was very impressive for the Sars U16 team last year assumes the injured Fitzgerald’s spot at full-back, while Courcey Rovers’ Darragh Winters is named among the substitutes.
It’s essentially a free-hit for McCormack and his management team, who can monitor his players’ workload on Friday evening, with one eye on their Munster final set for May 16.
Tom C Walsh (Aghada);
Darragh Heavin (Russell Rovers), Tom O’Flynn (Sarsfields), Cian Lawton (Midleton);
Michael T Brosnan (Glen Rovers), Bobby Carroll (Dromina), Colm Garde (Lisgoold);
Tom A Walsh (Carrigtwohill), Jack Counihan (Watergrasshill);
Ruairc Donovan (Fermoy), Cormac Deane (Killeagh), Craig O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh);
Seán Coughlan (age), Eoghan O’Shea (Ballinhassig), Sam Ring (Carrigtwohill).
Cathal Galvin (Sarsfields), Ryan Dineen (Erin’s Own), Evan Connolly (Dungourney), Callum Coffey (Na Piarsigh), Michael Quill (Blackrock), Charlie Hanratty (Carrigaline), Darragh Winters (Courcey Rovers), Senan Carroll (Midleton), Eoghan Hogan (Éire Óg).
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